Argghh! Advice re kitchen light sought

[robathome]

Hi,

Electrics are supposed to be simple. but perhaps it's me who is simple.

We have a light fitting in the kitchen with 4 halogen bulbs. It is controlled by 2 switches in parallel - one normal and one dimmer. It's been working fine - every so often a bulb goes, trips the RCD, gets replaced, and all continues working.

This time when one blew, it tripped the RCD, I reset the RCD and now the light doesn't work at all. All other lights on the circuit work OK. I have tightened all the wiring in the switches, and also the fitting. A multimeter across the two contacts in each bulb housing shows there is 240V getting to each one when the switch is on. I have replaced every bulb with brand new ones. But still no light.

I have no idea where to go from here - surely if power is getting to the bulbs then there can't be a wiring issue? Having said that I don't know if the fact there's 240V there means there's enough *power* there. I also noted that when the switch is off there is still about 25V across the contacts, but have no idea if this is normal.

Any ideas gratefull received

cheers - Rob

 

[Spark123]

It is controlled by 2 switches in parallel - one normal and one dimmer.

Please can you explain, do you mean it is 2 way or are both switches in series

It's been working fine - every so often a bulb goes, trips the RCD, gets replaced, and all continues working.

Are you sure, RCD or MCB?

This time when one blew, it tripped the RCD, I reset the RCD and now the light doesn't work at all. All other lights on the circuit work OK. I have tightened all the wiring in the switches, and also the fitting. A multimeter across the two contacts in each bulb housing shows there is 240V getting to each one when the switch is on. I have replaced every bulb with brand new ones. But still no light.

Have you tried bypassing the dimmer switch, as from what you describe I wouldn't be suprised if the dimmer switch is U/S?

 

[robathome]

Have you tried bypassing the dimmer switch, as from what you describe I wouldn't be suprised if the dimmer switch is U/S?

Yep that was it - thanks. I swapped dimmers and it worked - the lamp blowing must have taken out the dimmer.

Thanks for the reply
Rob

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Electrics are supposed to be simple.